In the end, the Zhan family did not take Cheng Shangling's life.
When Zhan Yingluo ordered someone to deliver the elixir, she also brought good news: the Cheng family ranked seventh in this hunting competition.
When Cheng Shangling woke up after being in a coma for half a day, he was not at all moved when he heard the news.
His eyes fell on Cheng Qingjia, and there was a hint of disappointment in his calmness.
Cheng Qingjia didn't dare to look up at his grandfather's expression. He just lowered his head and put a jade box on the table.
"I have promised Zhan Yingluo that the ceremony will be held in three days. After the ceremony, we will go to Pingfeng Island together. I... will practice well in the future."
Cheng Shangling only needed to use his spiritual sense to scan the jade box and found out that inside the jade box was a low-grade longevity pill that could extend one's life by ten years.
He sighed inwardly, knowing that what had happened was done and there was nothing he could do to change it.
If you continue to be stubborn, it will only harm the Cheng family.
In the end, Cheng Shangling said nothing more. He silently took off a storage ring and handed it to him.
"Here, you'll be on your own from now on."
Cheng Qingjia wanted to refuse, but after seeing his grandfather's expression, he accepted it.
Cheng Shangling waved his hand, signaling him to leave. Suddenly he thought of something, "Will that young friend Xu go to Pingfeng Island with me?"
"How did Grandpa know?"
Cheng Qingjia was a little surprised. Even he only knew about it when Zhan Yingluo mentioned it to him when she gave him the longevity pill.
"Although this woman claims to be from an unknown island, I see that she does not have the shallowness and timidity that is common among island monks. Instead, she has a kind of indifferent and clear mind that goes straight to her heart. I'm afraid she is not an ordinary person."
Cheng Qingjia was stunned. "It's true that Fellow Daoist Xu has a quiet personality, but I think she is too quiet and reserved, almost dull. Besides, there's nothing special about her on weekdays."
"What do you know? It is said that great straightness appears crooked, great cleverness appears clumsy, and great victory appears insignificant. A truly smart person knows how to hide his or her edge."
Cheng Qingjia seemed to understand, although he didn't quite understand the meaning of the words, but he knew that his grandfather was optimistic about Fellow Daoist Xu.
Cheng Shangling thought for a moment and said, "Go and invite Xu Xiaoyou over."
When Xu Chunniang heard the news and came over, Cheng Shangling had already straightened his clothes and sat upright.
He smiled slightly, "Xu Xiaoyou, I'm sorry to make you laugh."
Xu Chunniang returned the greeting with a salute, "Misfortunes often come with blessings, and blessings often come with misfortunes. Perhaps this may not be a bad thing for the Cheng family and Cheng Qingjia himself."
Cheng Shangling seemed to be thinking about something. "You are right. This matter is a variable for my Cheng family. And variables are good and bad."
He paused, then asked, "I heard that you are planning to go to Pingfeng Island soon?"
"It is true."
Xu Chunniang nodded slightly. Even if Cheng Shangling didn't invite her, she would come in person and tell him about this matter.
After all, she is still a guest of the Cheng family.
Cheng Shangling sighed softly, "When Mr. Xu agreed to be a guest of the Cheng family, he had clearly stated that he would not stay in Nansha Island for a long time. But I didn't expect that he would leave so soon."
Xu Chunniang felt a little guilty. In order to invite her to participate in the hunting competition, the Cheng family had shown considerable sincerity.
But then Zhan Yingluo showed up unexpectedly and devoted all her efforts to helping the Cheng family, leaving her with nothing to do.
"To be honest, I was not able to help much in this hunting competition."
"The Zhan family doesn't even take me seriously, let alone Young Friend Xu. Besides, you only promised me to participate in the competition. But Qingjia is simple-minded, and I am still a little worried."
Cheng Shangling shook his head, and after careful consideration, he finally spoke hesitantly.
"Xu Xiaoyou, I have an unwelcome request. If you find it difficult, just pretend you didn't hear it."
"Master Cheng, please tell me. If I can do it, I will do it for you."
"I suspect that Zhan Yingluo had other plans when she allowed Qingjia to marry into her family."
There was a hint of depth in Cheng Shangling's eyes. He really couldn't understand what was so special about his grandson that was worthy of Zhan Yingluo's attention.
The Zhan family has always been a people who will not do anything without profit, and they always believe that something is wrong when things are out of the ordinary.
If it is said that Zhan Yingluo valued Qingjia's appearance, then she is too superficial.
Xu Chunniang did not comment and waited quietly for the other party to speak next.
"I heard that Fellow Daoist Xu was going to Pingfeng Island. I hope that Fellow Daoist Xu and Qingjia can take care of it while they are traveling together. This is a sea chart that my Cheng family's ancestor got in his early years, so I gave it to Fellow Daoist."
As Cheng Shangling spoke, he took out a piece of bone and placed it on the table.
"Of course, if you feel embarrassed, it's okay if you don't agree. These are just my guesses. Qingjia has nothing that Miss Zhan San can covet.
But whether you agree or not, this sea chart is given to you."
Xu Chunniang sighed inwardly. First, she was given access to the third floor of the library, and now she was given a sea chart.
The head of the Cheng family is not only generous, but also always gives her things that she can hardly refuse.
Isn't he worried that she will take the things and not do anything
Xu Chunniang hesitated for a moment, but finally took the nautical chart.
"I can only promise you to look after him secretly for a year."
Cheng Shangling's brows relaxed slightly. "My friend, your words are enough. This is the path Qingjia chose himself. I can only help him up to this point."
I hope he is just overthinking all this.
After Cheng Shangling recovered a little from his injuries, he led the Cheng family away without even staying to watch the ceremony.
Xu Chunniang resumed her status as a casual cultivator, but did not announce it to the public and continued to live in the Zhan family as a guest of the Cheng family.
On the third day after Cheng Qingjia married into the family, Zhan Yingluo decided to activate the teleportation array to Pingfeng Island.
After paying 50,000 spirit stones, Xu Chunniang obtained one of the teleportation spots.
When she stepped into the teleportation array, Zhan Yingluo only gave her a faint glance and then looked away, as if she had lost interest in her.
Cheng Qingjia looked at her, but seemed to want to say something but hesitated. However, due to his status and the people around him, he did not say anything.
Xu Chunniang withdrew her gaze and waited quietly for the transmission to arrive.
A dazzling white light flashed, and the figure in the teleportation array suddenly disappeared.
Afterwards, ten figures appeared out of thin air in a formation on Pingfeng Island, ten thousand miles away.
Xu Chunniang stood where she was. After the teleportation force faded away, she waited for a while before opening her eyes and following the crowd out of the formation.
Several cultivators were clasping their fists and saying goodbye to Zhan Yingluo. They were the ones who had come to Pingfeng Island together through the teleportation array.
Zhan Yingluo nodded with a smile, and after watching them leave, her eyes fell on Xu Chunniang.
"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Xu has a place to go on Pingfeng Island?"
Seeing that the other party shook his head and said nothing, her smile deepened, "What a pity, Brother Xu originally had the opportunity to go with me. I have something else to do, so I will leave first."
Xu Chunniang watched the other party walk away before she slowly probed the token she was carrying with her spiritual sense.
In the nautical chart that comes with the token, one can vaguely see a small black dot moving in one direction.